PO Box 354, Silvana, Washington 98287
Voice: 360.269.8855 Email:
06/7/2015 ~ For Immediate Release
60th WA State Dairy Ambassador Coronation, Diamonds and Tiaras to be held June 27
The 2015 Washington State Dairy Ambassador Coronation, “Diamonds & Tiaras
Celebrating 60 Years of Commitment” will be held Saturday June 27th in the grand ballroom at the Holiday Inn, 3105 Pine Street, Everett, WA. Seating will begin at 5:00 pm in the grand ballroom with the program starting promptly at 5:30 pm. In addition to our 2015 Coronation, we will celebrating our 60th Anniversary of the ambassador program and have an extra special evening planned. For ticket information please contact Gloria Edwards at or phone 360.273.7313. We are not able to sell tickets at the door.
The Washington State Dairy Ambassador Program provides a tremendous professional and educational opportunity for young women in Washington State. The young women chosen to serve as Washington’s Ambassadors for Milk receive a generous college scholarship, internships, and extensive communications training.
“It will soon be time to say good bye and thank you to our 2014- 2015 State Dairy Ambassador Janis DeJager (Everson) andthe State Alternates Marissa Apperson (Rochester) and Marcy Bartelheimer (Snohomish). They have done a fantastic job of representing the Dairy Farmers of Washington over this past year and I’m sure they will continue to be lifelong advocates of our industry. We wish them well as they move on to the next chapter in their life and wish them all the best” stated Tammi Schoenbachler, State Ambassador Advisor.
This year we have eight talentedcontestants competing for the position of 2015 Washington State Dairy Ambassador:
- Snohomish County Contestant ~ Nichole Buell
- Skagit County Contestant ~ Katie Jo Conley
- Whatcom County Contestant ~ Amanda Howe
- Lewis County Contestant ~Lydia Johnson
- Inland Northwest contestant ~ Ashley Rochlitzer
- Snohomish County Contestant ~ Olivia Russell
- Whatcom County Contestant ~ Ellie Steensma
- Skagit County Contestant ~ Megan Sybrandy
The 2015 Washington State Dairy Ambassador contestants:
Snohomish County Contestant
Nicole Buell
Nicole Buell of Marysville is the daughter of Dan and Genie Buell. She is 18 years old and will be graduating from Everett Community College and Marysville Getchell Bio-Med High School where she ran cross country and was captain her Senior Year. Nicole has been very involved in 4-H and has won many awards and has held officer positions. She has shown dairy cows in 4-H and has worked for the Groenevelds on their dairy farm. Nicole would one day like to be a large animal veterinarian.
Skagit County Contestant
Katie Jo Conley
Katie Jo Conley of Mount Vernon is the daughter of Mark and Jesse Conley. She is 18 years old and will be graduating from Skagit Academy and Skagit Valley College. Katie Jo has been involved in 4-H, for seven years, where she shows dairy cows and also enjoys sewing and cooking. Katie Jo has hopes to one day have a business management position in her local community.
Whatcom County Contestant
Amanda Howe
Amanda Howe of Lynden is the daughter of Stephan Ray Rittgers and Lorraine Laub. She is 19 years old and is a 2014 graduate of Lynden High School. She has received awards in JROTC for academics and leadership. Amanda has worked for Arnold and Ted Feddema on their dairy farm and has shown animals in 4-H as well. Amanda would one day like obtain a career as a
sire analyst.
Lewis County Contestant
Lydia Johnson
Lydia Johnson of Ethel is the daughter of Joel and Susan Johnson. She is 18 years old and will be graduatingfromOnalaska High School where she was very involved in FFA and the Washington High School Equestrian Team. She also participated in basketball, trackand cross country. Lydia grew up on her family dairy farm and has a dream to own her own dairy farm.
Inland Northwest Contestant
Ashley Rochlitzer
Ashley Rochlitzer of Spokane is the daughter of Mark and Cynthia Rochlitzer. She is 18 years old and will be graduating from Reardan High School. Ashley is a cheerleader and a Washington Science Olympiad Student Representative. She works at Spokane’s Family Farm where she milks the cows and bottles the milk. Ashley has plans to become a Secondary Art Teacher.
Snohomish County Contestant
Olivia Russell
Olivia Russell of Stanwood is the daughter of John and Ronda Russell. She is 18 years old and will be graduating from Stanwood High School. Olivia has been involved in 4-H and FFA where she has held many officer positions and won many awards. She has shown her dairy cow at numerous fairs for the past four years. Olivia has plans to one day become a large animal veterinarian.
Whatcom County Contestant
Ellie Steensma
Ellie Steensma of Lynden is the daughter of John and Karen Steensma. She is 18 years old and will be graduating from Lynden Christian High School. Ellie participated in swimming, FFA, drama, and choir. Ellie works on her family’s dairy farm where she has done a variety of jobs. Ellie hopes to have a career involved in agriculture in communications, nutrition, or food science.
Skagit County Contestant
Megan Sybrandy
Megan Sybrandy of Mount Vernon is the daughter of Ashley and Michelle Sybrandy. She is 18 years old and will be graduating from Skagit Academy and Skagit Valley Community College. She enjoys taking pictures, writing, acting, and helping the community. Megan lives on her family’s dairy farm where she does various chores, cleaning, and maintaining the farm and facilities. Megan hopes to one day have a career in the business field.
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Submitted by: Gloria Edwards, WA State Ambassador Program
For more information please contact:
LynnaeRodeffer, President
WA State Dairy Women
425.397.2322
TammiSchoenbachler, Ambassador Advisor
WA State Dairy Ambassador Program
360.269.8855
Lavonne Boogerd, Chairperson
WA State Dairy Ambassador Committee
509.391.0133